Sporting edge Lion to end winless streak

BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer

Monday, February 20, 2012

MAY PEN, Clarendon — Sporting Central Academy produced an inspired secondhalf display to end their 11-game Red Stripe Premier League winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Humble Lion yesterday at Effortville.

Goalscoring opportunities were scarce in the first 45 minutes, though both goalkeepers were called upon to make crucial saves early on.

Ironically, though, it was an amateurish error from home ’keeper Philmore Crumbie that settled, what was up to that point, an evenly-contested Clarendon derby.

The former Boys' Town goalie totally misjudged a tame Francois Swaby free-kick, which bounced over his hands on its way to goal in minute 75.

The goal was just what Sporting deserved for an improved second-half display, but it totally demoralised Humble Lion who, despite trying to mount a gallant fight back, just could not find a way back into the game.

A result of this kind, perhaps, provides the perfect narrative for Humble Lion's home form this season. Lenny Hyde Snr's side have been securing victories on the road, but are finding it extremely difficult to stamp their authority at the Effortville Community Centre.

They are winless in six games and now run the risk of slipping out of the top-six at the wrong time in the season, especially with teams below them — Harbour View and Montego Bay United — starting to gather pace.

For Sporting, the win — their first since December 4 — could not have come at a better time as they now prepare to get over the departure of some key players, an internal power struggle and what could still turn out to be a relegation battle.

The opening minutes of the game was characterised by open, but aggressive football as both teams made their intention of collecting all three points known from the get-go.

But with both sides seemingly in a hurry to get on the scoresheet, there was little or no space for a fluent passing game.

Even the usually exciting Sporting team had, for the most part, abandoned their now infectious brand of touch football in favour of a more direct route to goal.

Nonetheless, the game did serve up some amount of brilliance with goalkeepers Carlloyd Walters and Crumbie being heavily involved.

First, it took a superb onehanded save from Walters to keep out Gregory Morgan's stinging right-footer and, just minutes later, Crumbie also needed to be at his best to keep the scores level.

The giant goalie rushed from his line to thwart opposing striker Kavin Bascom with courageous diving header, but not even his biggest critic could have predicted the costly mistake he was to make later in the contest.

In another game yesterday, Highgate and Village United drew 2-2 at Lynch Park in Portland.